Chris Smith: “Just to underscore for my colleagues the broad support that this has, the American Jewish Committee has also supported…”

“Just to underscore for my colleagues the broad support that this has, the American Jewish Committee has also supported it, the Family Research Council. As I said earlier, the Becket Fund and so many others have written very extensive remarks in favor of it. I do hope there will be very strong support for this important legislation. It's a matter of inclusion to stop current-day, present- day exclusion. Memorandum To: Interested Parties From: Nathan J. Diament, Exec. Director of Public Policy Date: February 6, 2013 Re Legal Analysis Supporting Including Houses of Worship, Among Private Nonprofit Facilities, Eligible for Federal Disaster Relief Funds Administered by FEMA Under the Stafford Act. Conclusion: The Establishment Clause does not bar the award of federal grants to houses of worship for the repair of facilities damaged in a natural disaster, in the context of the Stafford Act's ``private nonprofit facility'' aid program. I. A. Background The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act provides that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide funding, through its Public Assistance program, to restore facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations which were damaged in a natural disaster. 42 U.S.C. 5122, 5172.…”